Arthritis: How You Can Improve Your Quality of Life | Blog | BASS Medical Group

Arthritis, an inflammatory disease that affects the joints affects an estimated 40 million Americans. While there are more than 100 types of arthritis, the two most prevalent kinds of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Both forms result in joint discomfort and inflammation and, if addressed, can lead to disability.

When you are diagnosed with arthritis, it means you have a persistent pain condition, which can make it challenging to lead an active lifestyle. Your quality of life might be greatly impacted by joint pain, swelling, and stiffness, but arthritis doesn't have to mean you can't be active and joyful.  Here are 8 tips for living with arthritis:

1. Treating Arthritis with Regular Exercise

Exercise that has little effect on your joints regularly keeps them mobile and reduces pain and stiffness is great for treating arthritis. Pick muscle-building exercises that are gentle on your joints. For those with arthritis, swimming, walking, and cycling are all viable possibilities. Think about including moderate stretches in your regular regimen in addition to cardiovascular activity.

2. Knowing When to Relax When Living With Arthritis

If you have arthritis, being active is crucial, but so is paying attention to your body. When you feel like you need it, don't be scared to take a pause and rest. To ease pain and inflammation, elevate aching joints and apply heat or ice.

The use of a heating pad for 20 minutes at a time helps ease arthritic pain. After exercise, painful muscles and inflammation can be treated with ice packs.

3. Eat a Diet Low in Inflammation

For those with arthritis, inflammation is a major source of joint pain and stiffness. Some foods can help in treating arthritis pain regularly by lowering inflammation in the body.

You should think about including fish, fruits and vegetables, nuts, legumes, and other anti-inflammatory items in your diet. Whole-grain bread and other high-fiber meals can also assist to lower inflammation.

4. Keep a Stable Weight

Losing weight can greatly reduce joint discomfort if you are overweight or obese.

You may lose additional weight and keep it off permanently by making little adjustments to your lifestyle. Maintaining a healthy weight with a balanced diet and regular exercise helps prevent joint pain from growing worse if you are already at a healthy weight.

5. Increase your intake of natural vitamins

Numerous vitamins, minerals, and supplements may help lessen arthritis pain and inflammation. All of the vitamins and minerals, including zinc, calcium, iron, and magnesium, are crucial for general health.

Capsaicin, turmeric, and several other nutrients may help some arthritis sufferers with their symptoms. Find out which supplements might be a useful complement to your arthritis management strategy by speaking with your medical team.

6. Make Use of Assistive Technology

Don't be ashamed to utilize tools that make daily living easier on your joints if you have arthritis. It may be simpler to walk with the use of an assistive device like a walker or cane. Shoe inserts can relieve discomfort for some people.

You can improve your ability to carry out daily duties by using assistive technology, which improves your quality of life and helps you manage your condition.

7. Quit Smoking

Arthritis is only one of the many health problems that smoking causes. Cigarette smoke toxins have a direct influence on the connective tissue around joints and may exacerbate arthritis.

Additionally raising your chance of problems after surgery is a smoking habit. Joint replacement surgery is a therapeutic option that some people select for arthritis, however, smokers may not be able to use it safely.

Find a Remedy That is Effective for You

Each patient with arthritis uniquely experiences the disease. Stem cell therapy, oral or topical medications, and other pain management methods can all be used as treatments to reduce discomfort and keep you active.

Call the Bass Medical Group staff if you suspect you may have symptoms of arthritis or if you have any other health concerns. Our experts can advise you on the most effective course of action because they have expertise in treating various varieties of arthritic symptoms.